The effect of Habit Reversal Training (HRT) on Trichotillomania (TTM)

Background: TTM is one of the less-known habitual disorders, which is characterized by recurrent hair picking. HRT is one of the most practiced methods for treating this disorder. This study investigates the effectiveness of HRT on the decreasing and improving TTM symptoms.

Methods: This study was a pre-experimental design with repeated measures (without control group). Before pre-test, treatment was applied and later a post-test was administered. Follow-up data were collected in time intervals of one month and three months after treatments. Participants were 4 female students at Urmia University, who were selected through snowball sampling. Clinical interview, MGH-HS, counting of hair-picking, Milwaukee Inventory for Subtypes Trichotillomania (adult version) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used as the major instruments.

Results: Number of picked hair, scores of MGH-HS test, personal ranking for hair-picking and STAI changed dramatically and went through a steep decline after the treatment. Likewise, other participants´ scores were also marked by similar considerable improvements. This shift lasted for 3 months after the completion of treatment sessions and none of participants returned to pre-treatment conditions.

Conclusion: HRT method is an effective method for decreasing symptoms of TTM and improving trait and state anxiety, individual's life quality and damages resulting from this disorder. As the number of participants used in this study was limited, it is suggested that the study be repeated with a wider sample and consequently the effect of this method in treatment of other habitual disorders be investigated too.